Northern Border Shooting Incident...

[Lost Texan]

While we consider incursions into the US on the Southern Border, here is an example of what happens up North.

Shooting closes border at Blaine

By Jennifer Sullivan
Seattle Times staff reporter

The U.S.-Canada border at Blaine was shut down Tuesday after U.S. Customs and Border Protection shot a man wanted in a California homicide.

Shortly before 2 p.m., two men suspected of killing a man in Richmond, Calif., Saturday were spotted by a Whatcom County sheriff's deputy and an Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agent at a rest stop off Interstate 5 in Custer, said Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo.

The authorities had information that the pair, Ishtiaq Hussain, 38, and Jose Antonio Barajas, 22, were heading for the border, said Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan.

After a brief confrontation with authorities, the two fled north on I-5, reaching speeds nearing 100 mph, Elfo said. Upon reaching the Blaine border entry, about seven miles away, the vehicle almost struck two Customs and Border Protection officers.

The suspects then crossed into Peace Arch Park, the grassy median that separates north and southbound traffic, and struck the Peace Arch monument, Elfo said. The arch sustained minor damage, he said.

At some point during the incident, a Customs and Border Protection agent fired his gun, striking one of the suspects, Elfo said. The suspect had to be hospitalized for unknown injuries, he said.

Gagan said Hussain was shot.

The chase ended just a few feet from the border when a deputy blocked the car the suspects were in with his squad car, Elfo said. Barajas bolted, but authorities quickly caught him; he was in federal custody.

The border opened early this morning.

LT

[cjcrew022000]

The Canadian guards all walked off the job because since they don't carry guns they cannot be forced to work in situations where they fear for their safety. I think Harper is getting on that as we speak.